`Sun Spots' A Fungus

GOOD HEALTH Dr. Paul Donohue

August 6, 1994|Dr. Paul Donohue

Dear Dr. Donohue: The past two summers I have had what friends called "sun spots," white patches on my back. I am at the beach a lot, and it gets more noticeable as the summer passes. Is there something I can do to stop them? - B.L.N.

Dear B.L.N.: Don't blame the sun. It's actually a common fungal infection - tinea versicolor. Most of us harbor the skin fungus involved. Why some get the spots and others don't is a mystery.

We know that moisture, oils and heat in general favor such growth. Usually, the tinea versicolor rash takes shape as circles of pale skin, most noticeable against a darkening background of tanned skin. Some patients report itching.

There are applications of selenium or zinc and some oral medicines that help, but prevention is best. You can buy a bar of ZNP soap and use it once a week. It would be wise to use preventive steps the year round, since you cannot predict when the skin fungus will burgeon.

Dear Dr. Donohue: I was raised much earlier in this century, at a time when drinking water during or after exercise was verboten, with dire forebodings of stomach cramping and other problems. What is the modern view? - S.B.K.

Dear S.B.K.: The view of exercise and water has changed. Now we emphasize replenishment of body fluids lost during exercise.

On a hot day, you can lose up to 2 percent of body weight in half an hour, and most of that is fluid loss. Fluid loss quickly translates into circulation slowdown, and that in turn reduces the flow of blood to exercising muscles. Fatigue results, even perhaps some cramping. As the blood flow to the skin lags, internal body temperature rises.

So drink liberally when exercising in hot weather. Water is a great replacement fluid. You don't need salt tablets. The body takes care of that balance. When you end your exercise, look around for a fruit snack to replace any potassium loss. Bananas, raisins, oranges and dried apricots are fine.

Dear Dr. Donohue: In regard to exercising for muscle development, is lifting 10 pounds 10 times in a row the same as lifting 100 pounds only once? - S.C.G.

Dear S.C.G.: Lifting the lighter weight many times increases your endurance. Lifting the heavier weight fewer times increases muscle strength. The two goals are distinctly different.